Missouri mules are said to be stubborn, hard working and wily. As a wrestler – and as a student – Terrell Williams is difficult to budge. He fights through to the end, whether it be a shot at victory or the next classroom challenge.

So it is fitting that Williams signed a national letter of intent last week to wrestle for University of Central Missouri.

“It felt like home to me,” the Bulldogs senior 152-pounder said of UCM. “The coach made me feel like I was going to work for what I wanted.”

Williams is not one to back down. Mexico head wrestling coach Gayle Adams has referred to him as the heart of the program over the past four years. A state qualifier, Williams worked hard for another shot at the finals this year.

Unfortunately, an injury cut his campaign short. But his body of work was enough to have five schools calling. He acknowledged that the attention was appreciated.

Central Missouri asked Williams to battle for a spot on the team. That was enough to get his attention.

“It felt like he believed everything he said,” Williams said of UCM head wrestling coach Justin Ensign. “My expectation is to come out a better man and a better student – and to someday contend for an NCAA title.

Nothing is impossible.”

Williams said his truncated senior season made the transition from high school to college bittersweet. He was a four-year Mexico standout.

And he had high expectations of the 2020-21 season before the injury.

“It was fun,” he said. “I’m going to miss the team.”